When Elected Officials Ignore Citizens: A Call for Accountability in Colorado

Eagle County, Colorado

August 19, 2025

In Colorado, where citizens like Andrew Osborne of Gypsum have voiced legitimate concerns about the state's economic decline under Democratic control since 2018, silence from elected officials speaks volumes. Osborne's email to Representative Meghan Lukens and Senator Dylan Roberts, detailing sharp drops in key economic indicators and demanding explanations, went unanswered. At a recent town hall, these officials reportedly blamed former and current President Donald Trump for Colorado's woes, relying on what critics call bogus figures without substantiating their claims.

This evasion not only insults voters but also undermines the foundational principles of our Constitutional Republic. As Colorado grapples with a $1.2 billion budget deficit partly tied to federal tax policies, it is time to demand transparency and action. This op-ed explores the constitutional right to petition government, the verified evidence of Colorado's economic slide, the pattern of blaming external forces, the implications of ignored correspondence, and pathways to restore accountability.

The Constitutional Right to Petition and Government Accountability

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right "to petition the Government for a redress of grievances," a protection rooted in the English Bill of Rights of 1689 and essential to preventing tyranny. This right, affirmed in cases like McDonald v. Smith (1985), where the Supreme Court held that petitions must be treated with respect, obligates officials to consider citizen input, even if not mandating a response in every instance. In Colorado, Article V, Section 1 of the state constitution echoes this by empowering citizens to initiate laws and amendments, reinforcing participatory governance.

Federal law, including the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. § 551 et seq.), requires agencies to respond to petitions, setting a precedent for elected officials. Media reports highlight this expectation: A Denver Post editorial stressed that ignoring constituent emails erodes trust, citing a 2024 survey by the Pew Research Center showing 68% of Americans believe officials disregard public input. The Associated Press covered similar cases in Colorado, where unanswered queries on economic policy fueled voter disillusionment.

In Osborne's case, his email invoked this right by seeking a written response on reversing economic trends. Lukens and Roberts, representing districts including Eagle County, have a duty under Colorado Revised Statutes § 24-4-103, which mandates public participation in rulemaking, to engage meaningfully. Their silence, amid claims of bogus figures at the town hall, violates the spirit of these protections.

Verified Evidence of Colorado's Economic Decline Since 2018

Osborne's email accurately cataloged Colorado's fall in rankings, backed by data from reputable sources. Personal income growth plummeted from third nationally in 2018 to 39th by 2024, as reported by the Denver Gazette and the Colorado Sun, attributing the drop to regulatory increases and slowed economic activity. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis confirmed a 4.3% year-over-year increase in Q1 2025, ranking Colorado 30th, far from its pre-2018 highs.

Unemployment shifted dramatically: From the second-lowest rate in 2018 (around 3.0%), it rose to 4.3% in 2024 (revised upward), hitting 4.7% in January 2025, placing Colorado among the higher rates nationally, per the Colorado Sun and BLS data. By mid-2025, it stabilized at 4.8%, seventh-highest, contradicting claims of robust recovery.

Regulatory burden escalated from the bottom half in 2018 to sixth-worst by 2024, with nearly 200,000 restrictions, according to the Colorado Chamber of Commerce and Mercatus Center studies. Job growth, once top-10, fell to bottom-tier: Colorado added only 500 non-farm jobs from February 2024 to 2025, sixth-lowest nationally, per Common Sense Institute.

Net migration dropped from top-10 destination to bottom-10: Down 52.5% from 2015 to 2025, ranking 17th in 2024 domestic gains, as per Common Sense Institute and Census data. These facts, ignored by Lukens and Roberts, paint a picture of decline under Democratic trifecta control since 2018.

The Pattern of Blaming Trump with Bogus Figures

At the town hall, Lukens and Roberts allegedly used bogus figures to blame Trump for Colorado's perils, focusing on federal policies like the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, which eliminated taxes on tips and overtime, contributing to the state's $1.2 billion deficit. Media outlets like Colorado Newsline and RealVail reported Democrats decrying the bill as blowing a "billion-dollar hole," yet overlooking state spending excesses. Governor Jared Polis echoed this, calling Trump's tariffs "failed," warning of recession without evidence tying them directly to Colorado's rankings drop.

Such claims ring hollow: The deficit stems partly from Colorado's conformity to federal tax code, but state policies like expanded regulations amplified it, per the Colorado Fiscal Institute. Osborne noted the cuts benefit workers, yet officials provided no data on their "bogus figures" alleging Trump's sole fault. X posts from the town hall era, like those from @SteamboatRadio, highlighted rural support but omitted economic scrutiny. This deflection violates ethical standards in Colorado Revised Statutes § 24-18-104, prohibiting misleading public statements.

Critics, including Senator Michael Bennet, admitted Democratic failures fueled Trump's rise, per The Washington Times. Blaming external forces without addressing internal records insults voters' intelligence, as Osborne charged.

The Implications of Ignored Citizen Correspondence

Osborne's unanswered email exemplifies a broader crisis: When officials ignore petitions, it erodes faith in our Constitutional Republic. Legal precedents like Borough of Duryea v. Guarnieri (2011) affirm that public employees must respond to grievances without retaliation. In Colorado, the Open Records Act (C.R.S. § 24-72-201) mandates transparency, yet no response was given.

Media coverage underscores the harm: CPR News reported on the $1 billion cut needed, noting Democratic finger-pointing without constituent engagement. The Gazette editorial called the deficit "of our legislature's making," criticizing evasion. X users in Colorado, echoing Osborne's frustration, post about unaddressed economic queries, amplifying distrust.

This silence suggests officials fear scrutiny of their records, prioritizing partisanship over accountability. In a swing state, such behavior risks electoral backlash, as seen in 2024 shifts.

Pathways to Restore Accountability and Reverse Trends

Colorado must enforce accountability through reforms. Amend state law to require responses to constituent petitions within 30 days, mirroring federal Freedom of Information Act timelines. Leverage the Legislative Council to investigate bogus claims, with penalties under ethics codes.

Economically, cut regulations: The Colorado Chamber advocates reducing the 200,000 restrictions to boost growth. Address the deficit responsibly, as Osborne urged, by managing spending rather than blaming Trump. Media like the Colorado Sun call for balanced budgets without tax hikes.

Voters should petition for recalls or initiatives under Article V, forcing transparency. Public education on rights, via outlets like Rocky Mountain PBS, can empower citizens.

Andrew Osborne's unanswered email highlights a failure in Colorado's governance: Officials like Lukens and Roberts dodge responsibility, using bogus figures to blame Trump while ignoring verifiable declines. By upholding the right to petition and demanding explanations, we preserve our Constitutional Republic. The time for answers is now, lest silence become the norm.

Michael J Badagliacco, “MJB”

Michael is a United States Air Force Veteran, father of five and grandfather of three, passionate about this country and the Constitution. 

Editor-in-Chief, Colorado DOGE Report.

In response to the following email that has gone unanswered as of publishing time:



Date: Fri, Aug 15, 2025, 10:02 AM

Subject: Stop Ignoring Colorado’s Decline

To:

Meghan Lukens <meghan.lukens.house@coleg.gov>,

Dylan Roberts <senatordylanroberts@gmail.com>

Representative Lukens and Senator Roberts,

At your recent town hall, it was clear only Democrats were truly welcome. I’m not a Republican, but I believe every citizen deserves a seat at the table — your tone suggested otherwise.

Since Democrats took complete control in 2018, Colorado has collapsed in the rankings:

• Personal income growth: 3rd → 39th

• Unemployment rate: 2nd lowest → 2nd highest

• Regulatory burden: Bottom half → 6th worst

• Job growth: Top 10 → bottom tier

• Migration: Top 10 destination → bottom 10

I’ve lived here 35 years. This is not the Colorado I moved to. Blaming President Trump and Republicans while ignoring your party’s record insults the intelligence of voters. You have held total control for years — these results belong to you.

And be honest — the $1.2 billion deficit is partly due to federal-level tax cuts, including eliminating taxes on tips and overtime. While those cuts are a good thing for working people, they require the state to manage spending more responsibly instead of simply blaming others.

Stop pointing fingers. Start fixing the problems. I expect a written response explaining how you plan to reverse these trends.

Sincerely,

Andrew Osborne,

Gypsum Colorado